Sudden hailstorms have ravaged croplands in Nilphamari and Kurigram, leaving farmers reeling from heavy losses and communities struggling to recover. Fierce winds and hail battered maize, chilli, potato, paddy, mango, and litchi fields across multiple upazilas, flattening crops and damaging homesteads.
Residents described the storms as unprecedented in recent years, with tin roofs punctured and blossoms destroyed in minutes. Local agriculture officials confirmed widespread damage and said field-level assessments are underway. With many farmers already burdened by loans, the financial blow is expected to be severe, underscoring the vulnerability of rural livelihoods to sudden climatic shocks.
NILPHAMARI: A sudden hailstorm struck Nilphamari's Domar and Jaldhaka upazilas at midnight on Saturday, leaving widespread destruction across croplands and homesteads. The abrupt storm, accompanied by fierce winds, caught residents off guard and plunged them into distress.
Local sources said vast stretches of farmland were battered, with maize, chilli, potato, and paddy fields suffering severe damage. In many places, crops were flattened, leaving farmers devastated as their months of hard work were destroyed in minutes. "We have not seen such intense hail in the past five to seven years," said one villager, describing the storm as terrifying and unprecedented.
The hailstorm also wreaked havoc on households. Tin roofs of numerous homes were punctured, forcing rainwater inside and leaving families scrambling to protect themselves in the darkness. Residents reported panic as the storm raged, with many unable to sleep through the night. "Water entered our rooms, and we had nowhere to go," said another local, highlighting the ordeal faced by many.
Authorities have yet to release official figures on the extent of the damage. However, the Department of Agricultural Extension in Nilphamari has begun field inspections. Manjur Rahman, deputy director of the department, said efforts are underway to assess the losses and provide support to affected farmers.
The sudden natural disaster has left communities stunned and struggling to recover. Farmers, in particular, fear the financial blow will be severe, as the destroyed crops represented their primary source of livelihood. With no immediate relief announced, residents remain anxious about how long recovery will take.
For many in Nilphamari, the midnight hailstorm will be remembered as one of the most destructive in recent years, a stark reminder of the vulnerability of rural communities to sudden climatic shocks.
RAJARHAT (KURIGRAM): A sudden storm accompanied by hail lashed Rajarhat Upazila of Kurigram District at midnight on Friday, causing extensive damage to crops across seven unions. Strong winds and intermittent hail battered mango and litchi orchards as well as boro paddy fields, leaving farmers in distress.
Local residents said the storm struck without warning in the darkness, damaging trees and crops. Mango and litchi blossoms were knocked down, while branches snapped under the force of the wind. In many areas, boro paddy collapsed onto the ground, raising fears of reduced yields.
Farmers in the Teesta char areas reported heavy losses to onion, chilli, peanut, maize, and vegetable fields. Tender plants were shredded by hailstones, sparking concerns of significant financial setbacks.
Belal, 58, and Abul Kalam, 50, farmers from Char Gatiasham, said four bighas of onion and chilli fields were destroyed. "The storm wiped out everything in one night," Belal lamented. Anwarul Islam, 45, of Taluk Hajipara village said his one-bigha maize field was flattened. "Last year I harvested 40 maunds of maize from this land. This time I doubt I will get even two maunds," he said. Neighbouring farmer Harun Mia echoed the same fears.
Many affected farmers said they had taken loans to cultivate their land and now face uncertainty about how to recover from the losses. "We had no chance to prepare for such a sudden disaster," one farmer explained.
Rajarhat Upazila Agriculture Officer Saifun Nahar Sathi confirmed the damage and said field-level assessments are underway. "Initial reports suggest widespread losses. We are preparing lists of affected farmers to provide necessary assistance," she said.
The storm left no reports of casualties, but the destruction of crops has dealt a severe blow to livelihoods in the region, underscoring the vulnerability of rural communities to sudden climatic shocks.
